*"The Last Five Years gets major kudos for taking chances, and for its sly knowledge of the entertainment business. And director Martin Friedman wisely lets his actors take charge of the stage," *Christine Howey *Rave and Pan* *Lakeland Civic Theatre presents* *The Last Five Years* Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Directed by Martin Friedman Musical Direction by Jordan Cooper Featuring *NEELY GEVAART and JASON LEUPOLD* *"Gevaart immediately wins over the audience upon uttering her first lines of lament over the failed marriage. The lyric “Jamie is over and Jamie is gone/Jamie’s decided it’s time to move on” is profoundly heart-wrenching and beautiful when executed by this gifted singer. She has remarkable vocal control and though she does devastation well, Gevaart handles elation even better. Her rendition of “I Can Do Better Than That” is delightful." *Bob Abelman. *The Cleveland Jewish News* *"His (Jason Leupold) rendition of “The Schmuel Song” – a pep talk to Cathy that encourages her to follow her dreams in the form of a fairy tale about a tailor too busy to dream – is absolutely charming." **Bob Abelman. The Cleveland Jewish News* Sound Designed by Eric Simna Lighting Designed by Christina Pierce Costume Designed by Jordan Cooper Production Stage Manager Reagan Hernon *"Fortunately for Lakeland audiences, Jason Leupold (Jamie) and Neely Gevaart (Cathy) are not only wonderful vocalists, but are talented actors. Without their abilities, the production could have been a disaster. . . Bravo to Leupold and Gevaart!" *Roy Berko *Production Dates: **The Last Five Years **will open on Friday, September 16 and run through October 2, 2016 * *Friday, September 23 @ 7:30pm Saturday, September 24 @ 7:30pm Sunday, September 25 @ 2:00pm * *Friday, September 30 @ 7:30pm Saturday, October 1 @ 7:30pm Sunday, October 2 @ 2:00pm * *Tickets:* *$15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for all students. For ticket reservations and information call* *440-525-7134* <440-525-7134>* or contact Martin Friedman at* *martinfriedman98@gmail.com* <martinfriedman98@gmail.com>*. **OR **Order tickets on-line at www.lakelandcc.edu/arts <http://www.lakelandcc.edu/arts>.* <http://www.lakelandcc.edu/arts> *"One creative choice that works particularly well is having the wonderful orchestra – a piano (conductor Jordan Cooper), violin (Rachel Gante), cello (Olivia Clark) and bass (Tim Keo) – on stage behind the performers, which reinforces the play’s emphasis on song over dialogue and adds to the sound quality. Their silhouettes under Christina Pierce’s lighting design are gorgeous." *Bob Abelman, *The Cleveland Jewish News*